In an unexpected development, USC freshman quarterback Malachi Nelson, the #1 quarterback recruit from the class of 2023, has decided to enter the transfer portal.
Nelson, a native of Los Alamitos, California, initially committed to Oklahoma but followed head coach Lincoln Riley to USC when he left Norman.
Nelson figured to be the heir-apparent to Caleb Williams who will (most likely) be leaving USC for the NFL draft.
"We all thought that guy was going to be the heir-apparent to Caleb Williams, until Lincoln Riley kept pushing that one down the line." @RJ_Young on what went wrong with 5-Star QB Malachi Nelson at USC ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/LyBOdzzRBk
— The Number One College Football Show (@numberoneshow) December 20, 2023
Nelson was named the 2022 Gatorade Player of the Year after an impressive high school career. Many assumed he’d be Riley’s next great quarterback.
However, as it turns out, Nelson will be searching for a new home (and coach) instead.
Riley spoke of the surprising loss…
“That part’s difficult because the old-school in all of us had all the great memories of the guys that we coached that maybe weren’t ready in the beginning and they progressed and got better and you got to see the end of that,” he said.
Lincoln Riley on QB Malachi Nelson transferring …
“That part’s difficult because the old-school in all of us had all the great memories of the guys that we coached that maybe weren’t ready in the beginning and they progressed and got better and you got to see the end of that.” pic.twitter.com/QjGT8k3ICW
— Ryan Young (@RyanYoungRivals) December 19, 2023
Nelson’s father, Eric, spoke to 247Sports about his son’s decision…
“It was very tough,” he said. “Lincoln first started recruiting Malachi when he was just a freshman. That’s the coach he always wanted to play for and USC was his dream school as well.”
“He chose Oklahoma originally because of Lincoln and when he was hired at USC, it was truly the best of both worlds for us.”
“I still consider Lincoln a friend, he’s a great guy … We have nothing but respect for him and the USC program and wish them nothing but the best. This was something that Malachi felt convicted about and something we as a family prayed over. There are definitely no hard feelings though and we’ll always have nothing but love for Lincoln and that program.”
As far as where Malachi might be heading…
“We’ve heard from over 50 schools so far, some big, some small and it’s been a blessing that so many are interested in Malachi,” Eric said. “This decision is probably even more important the second time around so we’re definitely doing our due diligence right now.
“The plan is to try and narrow things down to five by the weekend. Then in January when the live period opens back up, we would like to take at least three official visits and then pick a school.”
#STRecruiting: Southern Cal transfer QB Malachi Nelson tells us he has interest in #Gamecocks. Said he's impressed by what they've done developing quarterbacks.
— SportsTalk Media Network (@sportstalksc) December 19, 2023
Among the rumored possibilities are Ohio State, Michigan, UCLA, Oklahoma (again) – and quite possibly, the South Carolina Gamecocks…
Come Home 🏡 Malachi Nelson 🐔🤙🏾 pic.twitter.com/1JypQuajBB
— Gamecocks_swag (@Gamecockswag201) December 19, 2023
Where do you think Nelson will end up?
Do you think it’s a mistake for him to leave Riley and USC?
Or do you think Riley has been exposed a little bit this year???